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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Cookbook Journaling

I started writing to my kids in my cookbooks way back in the 90s. You can see my note on the left. I call this cookbook journaling. I started really writing notes to myself so I could remember tweaks to recipe or whether we liked or hated something I had made. Then I started gearing the notes to the girls knowing someday they would inherit my cookbooks when I am gone.

My books are full of pictures they drew me that day when the book is open or little flowers maybe they brought me while I was cooking. If you go through my most used books you will see little notes to them and treasures my little loves gave me while cooking.

I love to use my mother's recipe cards in her beautiful cursive handwriting. Making a meal she fed me as a child and how that keeps me feeling her touch. I think this is my way to pass on all the meals and kitchen love I have shared over the years.

I hear some women say how they never cook. I just don't understand that. If you are like that, don't be mad at me but it is just foreign to me. There is nothing like being a kid and walking into the house and your mom is making something delicious and nurturing in the kitchen. It is one of life's most wonderful feelings. A gift you give your family everyday.

25 comments:

My grandmother always gave me church cookbooks that her recipes were published in and she wrote in them. I thought I lost them in our fire and was so happy to see some of them buried in the box. I was ecstatic. Cooking with them was such a joy and treasured memories I will forever cherish. I love the handwritten notes on how they adapted the recipes....life's sweetest treasures.

What a wonderful gift you're giving your kids..my mom left me her recipes but I lost the book when we moved out of state. I was heartbroken. My mom was a stay at home mom. And we always came home to her cooking something. You're right, its a childhood memory that lasts a Lifetime and brings comfort to the heart when remembered.

The girls will cherish your handwritten notes in the cookbooks!! I, like you, was welcomed home each evening after school and diving practice, with the aroma of a fresh cooked meal in the house. It was one of the things that I remember as being so special to me growing up. I know that my kids have that same memory. It is priceless!!!Hugs,Kris

I don't make Banana bread as don't have patience for the cooking time so only make muffins. I made them yesterday with that exact recipe and threw in 1 cup of sweetened coconut that I had left over and lurking in the cupboard for the past two months - turned out great. My Mother-in-law gifted me some of her old Ukrainian cookbooks that she received from her sister, long passed. She did the same as you - notes about each recipe. Great idea.

Nice! I think the sense of smell and taste are very powerful and transport you to happy family moments. While I am cooking I often remember my grandmother, but unfortunately I have no notes from her. What you do is a beautiful gift for your girls.

This is a wonderful idea. Unfortunately, my mom, grandma, aunt etc cooked straight out of their heads and hearts, so I have virtually no recipes. Every now and then I would find one, but it was jotted down so quickly, and not always had exact amounts. xo

I rank my recipe cards...from one to four stars. Actually, I usually only keep the recipes that are three or four. I too make notes in the margins of cookbooks and I love to buy old recipe boxes with recipe cards at antique malls and flea markets. Sadly, most boxes are empty. Either the recipes were thrown out or family members kept them and left the box.

I am a cook, too, Elaine. Even more than that I am a baker. I can remember getting off the school bus and going into the house to the smell of something delicious (usually) cooking and I think I wanted partly to recreate that for my kids. Now I do it for my grandkids- xo Diana

While I have some cookbooks that I still use, my Mom wasn't much of a cook. Grandma sure was though! Years ago I started a handmade cookbook out of a small photo keeper, with 4 slots on both pages. Last year I got a full-sized thin binder and used page protectors and filled it up. My notes and all are protected, and clean.

Elaine, I have been surprised many a time in the last couple of years by my Daughter in law, who will say something to the effect "Oh that is one of his favorite things that you make!" "He" was never very vocal about liking my cooking when he was growing up, but I have learned over the years that there are some things that he deems special from my repertoire, as does my daughter. You are so right, I remember the warm and loving feeling I had growing up with the smells from my mother's kitchen.

I love the jouraling idea and will pass that on to my DIL when they start their family, Ann

I have my Mother"s and also my grandmother's cookbooks and more importantlly, hand written recipe cards. They had such beautiful handwriting back in those days! These are really precious memories to me. So dear.

I also write in my cook books. Make more then one copy. Not only did my girls want one but also my granddaughters. I love to cook but it does have it's draw backs. My daughters will not eat bread or bacon ( we make our own ) from the store. Pizza has to come from our oven. I think a created foodies. HA HA

You are so right. My mom is a great cook and so was my grandmother on mother's side and her mother too.I love to cook too and think it is very important to put wonderful nourishing dishes on the table.Have a great day.

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